Saturday, June 30, 2012

German Chocolate Brownies - Waldman Family Style



It's been a month since my last post...you would think with school out that I would have posted much more. However, since school has ended I have had oral surgery, attended my grandfather's 80th birthday, started and finished a Master's course, and gotten a new puppy! It's been a busy month! But I had a bit of downtime and thought it was time to share another recipe.

For my grandfather's birthday, he requested these German Chocolate Brownies. He had a big party at his house with all his friends and the whole family. It was a wonderful time and it was an excuse for me to bake! I baked four different things and came home with very little. One item was the Slutty Brownies that I shared not too long ago. Those were a hit among the little old ladies and they though the name was a hoot! My grandfather's friends are pretty great. So anyway...back to these brownies. I don't really know where this recipe came from but my mom has been making it for years. If you love chocolate, caramel, and brownies, you will love these brownies!

Time: 45ish minutes
Ingredients
1 package of wrapped caramels (14 oz size)
2/3 cup evaporated milk, divided
1 package German Chocolate Cake Mix (any brand will work)
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 package chocolate chips (12 oz)

Preheat oven to 350.

The first thing you have to do is unwrap all those caramels. It takes a while and I know you will be tempted the whole time, but it must be done. As you unwrap the caramels throw them into a microwave-safe bowl or into the top part of a double boiler. Now melt those sticky pieces of awesomeness using whatever method you choose. Once they are melted, stir in 1/3 cup of evaporated milk.


Once that is all mixed well, set it aside.

  

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the German Chocolate Cake mix with the melted butter and the remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk. It will seem thick, but remember, the desired outcome is brownies, not cake. 

Now, press half of the batter into a greased 9x13 pan. You can use a spatula, spoon, or whatever, but as you can see from the picture, I may have used my hands...and left finger indentations...
Pop it in the oven for about 6 minutes or until it is slightly firm.
While this layer is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the whole pan.
Remember that caramel mixture you set aside? Get that and spread it on top of the chocolate chips. Run a spatula over all of it until the whole bottom layer is covered.

Now comes a tricky part. You have to take the rest of the batter and spread it on top of the caramel. It's tricky, because the batter doesn't spread very easily. I take chunks of it in my fingers and squish it before I place it on top. Try your best to cover as much of the caramel as possible.
 It looks awkward, but it will bake to deliciousness...I promise.
I thought it looked cool, so I took another picture...

Now stick the whole thing in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the brownie portion has set and has browned around the edges. 
Here comes another tricky part...you must let these cool completely before cutting in! If you don't, they will be a gooey mess. An amazing gooey mess, but not finger food. However, my family has been known to scoop the goo in a bowl and eat it with ice cream. But these are meant to be brownies. So, cool and then cut. Please make these...you won't regret it. They are chewy, chocolatey, and delicious!